Means for displaying clothing ensembles



United StatesPateiit ice MEANS FOR DISPLAYING CLOTHING ENSEMBLES Yale J. Frank, Chicago, Ill. Application ocmher 14, 1951, serial No. 689,882

scnims` (C1: nai-'91V 4^ My invention relates to a device for displaying clothing ensembles.

One of the objects of my invention is the provision of means for supporting a plurality of articles of clothing which may be selectively arranged to display a plurality of costume ensembles so that a prospective purchaser may view the garments as they would appear in a variety of combinations.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the foregoing character with which a combination of garments may be viewed together substantially without interference of those garments which are not at that time being used.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a device of the foregoing character which is simple in construction, durable n service and economical to manufacture.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent when considered in connection with the accompanying drawngsvin which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the device of my invention with the parts in extended position and illustrating one manner of use.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1 and showing, in broken lines, the positions capable of being assumed by certain parts of the device.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a structural detail.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a garment hanger of any conventional type having diverging arms 6 and provided with a hook member 7. Suitably secured to said hanger in depending relation thereto are a pair of supporting members 8 which are identical in construction and are disposed substantially in the same plane. Each of the said members includes a vertical section 9 connected at the top thereofl to an arm 6 and a second vertical section 11 spaced from and parallel with said rst section 9, the said sections being connected at their lower ends by a transverse portion 12. The upper end of the second section 11 is `bent at right angles providing a laterally extending arm 15 disposed in the plane of the two vertical sections. The said arm terminates in a substantially U-shaped portion 13 one of the legs 14 of which allords a bearing for pivotally supporting a garment supporting arm 16 as will be hereinafter explained.

A bearing -block 17 which may be cylindrical or of any suitable form is provided with a bore 18 opening into the bottom thereof and a similar bore 19 opening into the top thereof. The vertical axes of the respective bores 18 and 19 are offset from each other, as illustrated. As will be apparent by reference to the drawings the outer leg 14 of terminal portion 13 is received in the bore 18 and the bearing block is pivotable relative to member 8. As will be seen clearly by reference to Fig. l two of such supporting members 8 are provided. These preferably may be connected by a bracing member 23 at their lower ends to rigidify the structure.

'2,879,929 Patented Ma. 31, `19,59

f in broken lines, or other upper garment, with the lower portion of the blouse being received between the parallel vertical sections 9 and 11. The clips 22 carried on the arms 15 are adapted to support in depending relation an article of c1othingsuch as a .skirt 27, or any otherarticle of clothing usually worn on the lower part of the body. The lower end of the -blouse 26 together with the sections 11 and corresponding lower portions of sections 9 preferably are received between the front and rear panels of the skirt 27 so as to be concealed from view so that the ensemble presents an appearance similar to that when worn on the body of a person. As an alternate arrangement the skirt 27, of course, may be disposed forwardly of the vertical sections 9 and 11 and in either case the clips 22 preferably are adjusted to maintain the skirt in substantially taut and neat condition. The clips 25 on each of the arms 16 and 16a are adapted to support a single article of clothing which may be different from that supported centrally of the structure. For example, Fig. l of the drawing illustrates a pair of slacks 28 supported on arm 16a and a pair of Bermuda shorts 29 supported on arm 16. It will be understood, however, that any other type or style of garment may be supported from the said arms as desired.

When it is desired to display, for example, the blouse 26 and skirt 27 as an ensemble the arms 16 and 16a are swung rearwardly so that -both articles of clothing supported on said arms are disposed behind the skirt. When it is desired, for example, to display the slacks 28, the arm 16a is swung forwardly so that the slacks 28 are superimposed over the skirt 27 while the arm 16 carrying the shorts 29 is disposed behind the skirt. Correspondingly, when it is desired to display the shorts, the arm 16a carrying the slacks is swung rearwardly to dispose the slacks behind the skirt and the arm 16 supporting the shorts is swung around in superimposed relation to the skirt. The particular pivotal support for each of the arms 16 and 16a permits said arms when swung to a superimposed relation to assume odset positions spaced either rearwardly or forwardly from the center article of clothing but substantially parallel thereto. Thus, it will be apparent that the blouse 26 may be selectively combined with any one of the three component articles of clothing so that a prospective purchaser may view the garments as they would appear as ensembles and thereby obtain an impression of the combinations of costume ensembles capable of being made with the various components. It will be understood that the arms 16 and 16a, when the device is supported as from a rack, may be arranged in the substantially :coplanar relationship illustrated in Fig. l so as to occupy a minimum of space. If space is not at a premium, the arms may Ibe arranged in superimposed relation with one forward and the other rearward in order to occupy a minimum of oor space.

Various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Hence, I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described or uses mentioned, but intend the same to be merely exemplary, the scope of my invention being limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A garment display device of the character set forth comprisingsa garmenthanger arranged to support agarment, a pair ofV supporting members'secured toand de pending from said hanger, each of said members having a substantially U-shaped lower` portion adapted to extend below the waistlineof argarmentfsupportedzby:saidhanger,

andlalaterally. extendingv arm connectedfto tl'leouterf-legl of each of said U-shaped. lower portions,.saidz arms' exe ending in opposite directionsandbeingdisposedin'substantially coplanar. relationshipwith said-hanger, ,the lower" side portionsf of said garmentl adapted toy bereceived; be-

tween the legs of said U-shaped lowerportions'andmeansv carried on said arms for supporting auzarticleofclothing;

independingrelation thereto.

2. The invention; as. detmed. in claim= 1 int which; the laterally` extending t arms 5 areadaptedI tos,befarrzmgcdfllsub.-l stantiallyfat the waistline ofthe.; garmentt 3. A` garment display deviceof thecharrmterasetfforth comprising` a garmenthanger arranged,tosupportiargan:-X ment,` a pair, of supporting. members s secured'. tcraugl4 depending fronrsaid hanger, each of said-membershaving a.. substantially. U,-shapedr1o wery portion adapted ,to extend..

ReferencestCitcdiin-.thc lefoffthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Von Palmenberg Jan. 20, 1942 Biondo111o ,.r ,Aug-27; 1957 

